Mission Trips FAQ’s

Home / Mission Trips FAQ’s

Why go on a short term mission trip?

Short term mission trips can have an incredible impact for God’s kingdom in two ways. First, they are a blessing to the local missionaries and local church. Short term groups are able to provided the labor and funding to accomplish projects that could not be done on the local level. Second, short term mission trips spiritually impact the lives of the individuals on the trip. In a very real sense, our eyes are opened to see the world the way God sees it. Make no mistake about it, a short term mission trip can be an incredible spiritual experience.

What a mission trip is and is not:

A Misson Trip is NOT…

a glorified vacation
a sight-seeing tour
just a new adventure to undertake
a great video shoot for our church

A MissionTrip is…

an opportunity to sacrifice time and money
an opportunity to serve others instead of self
an opportunity to listen to God’s call for your life
an opportunity to broaden your view of “neighbor”
an opportunity to join Jesus in “making all things new”
an opportunity to love God and love your neighbor

Why an international mission trip?

We live in a diverse world that desperately needs Jesus. International mission trips open up the eyes of participants to see the physical and spiritual needs of the world. In addition, international mission trips expose participants to a global perspective of God’s kingdom. Often times, participants are forever changed through their international mission experience.

Who can go on a short term mission trip?

In simple terms the answer is almost anyone. Our vision for Northside short term mission trips is multi-generational. We want high school students, college age students, singles, married, retired, and everyone in between to serve along side of each other for the kingdom of God. The minimum age is a freshman in high school. If we have more applicants than we have room for on a trip, we will review the mission trip applications for participants.

What’s the information on the trips?

This year you have two opportunities to go on a short term mission trip:

Haiti – July 12-21, 2013 – Lifeline Christian Mission

Who is Lifeline?

Lifeline Christian Mission exists to take Jesus to a lost and dying world and teach Christians here at home God’s will concerning mission responsibility. They operate in Haiti, Honduras, El Salvador, and Cuba. In 1980, Lifeline began work in Grand Goave, Haiti by providing for the spiritual and physical needs of locals. Since then Lifeline has grown to oversee 19 Christian churches in Haiti with over 5,000 people in attendance. In providing for physical needs, Lifeline has grown to include a child sponsorship program, a nutrition program, a medical clinic, a clothing pantry and education programs. Lifeline has also made it a priority to facilitate short term mission trips and has hosted thousands on a short term mission trips.

What will we do?

Lifeline wants to expose mission trip participants to the spiritual needs and physical needs present in Haiti. Each participant will:

Share their own devotion with the mission team
Reach out to the community through home visits
Participate in hands-on ministry projects (construction, painting, cleaning and more)
Worship with national Christians in their churches
Have an opportunity to teach children or adults through devotions, Bible studies or VBS
Enjoy a time of relaxation, sightseeing and shopping for native cultural items
If we have medical personnel, we can perform a medical clinic during our week

How much will it cost?

The total estimated cost of the trip will be $1950 per person. This cost includes your airfare from Springfield, or nearby airport, lodging, food, transportation, medical insurance, project supplies and a mission representative to coordinate all infield activities. Additional costs include the purchase of a passport, immunizations and prophylactic medications, some minimal supplies and money for souvenirs.

Honduras – March 7-15, 2013 – Jim and Teri Riley

Who are the Rileys?

Jim & Teri Riley have been missionaries to Honduras for 17 years. They both took two internships to Tegucigalpa, Honduras while in college and have since spent their ministry years working in Honduras. The Rileys started their ministry on a team of missionaries and their focus was at the University working with college students. While they are still involved in University outreach, they also work in church planting.

What will we do?

Each participant will have the possibility to:

Share in devotions and discussion with the mission team
Reach out to the community through home visits
Participate in hands-on ministry projects (construction, painting, cleaning and more)
Worship with national Christians in their churches
Share testimonies, teach, or lead in one day VBS
Enjoy a time of relaxation, sightseeing and shopping for native cultural items

How much will it cost?

The total estimated cost of the trip will be $1400 per person. This cost includes your airfare from St. Louis, hotel in St. Louis, lodging, food, transportation, project supplies and support for the missionaries to coordinate all infield activities. Additional costs include the purchase of a passport, immunizations and prophylactic medications, some minimal supplies and money for souvenirs.

How to raise support?

Personally, here are some great ways to raise support:

Send letters to friends and family to financially partner with you on this trip. As a note all donations are tax-deductible.
Look for work or odd jobs to help save up the money. This could be offering to clean someone’s house, mowing yards, babysitting, etc.
Instead of Christmas or birthday presents, ask your family to support your trip.
If you have a connection with other churches, ask the mission board to support you on your trip.

I know this is a large amount of money for many people. But through church support and personal work, it can be accomplished. God has the resources, and He is more than able to provide. Download: Suggestions for Raising Support.

How do I sign up?

Participants can sign up by filling out a Mission Trip Application and paying a deposit of $200 by November 29, 2012. If we have more applicants than room on the trip, we will review the applications for participants. As a note, you can begin writing letters of support prior to the deadline to raise money for your deposit. Click here to apply for a short term mission trip online.

What happens after I sign up?

Let me start off by saying, “Congratulations for signing up!” After you have paid your initial deposit and filled out the Application for a Mission Trip, we will be preparing to go to the mission field. As a result, we will have group meetings to learn about the country, hear testimonies and encouragement from others who have participated on mission trips, and discuss more in detail the logistics and focus of the trips.